Research:Publications:Working Papers FY2008(english-27,japanese-4)

JAPAN, CHINA AND THE CASE FOR EAST ASIAN REGIONAL COOPERATION / Christian WIRTH

2009.02.01

Working Papers

Excellent papers on Asian regional integration, which are prepared mainly by young researchers such as GIARI members, co-researchers, research fellows, and research assistants, will be published as working papers. Contributed papers, written in English or in Japanese, will be reviewed and examined by the editorial committee before publication. GIARI donates published papers to the libraries of Waseda and other related universities, research organizations, etc.

GIARI Working Paper Vol.2008-E-24

Abstract

This paper analyzes the relations between Japan and China as the key determinant of East Asian regional cooperation. To this purpose, methodological approaches of realism, liberalism and constructivism and the implications of their interpretations for East Asia are discussed. The paper argues that first, difficulties in China-Japan relations result from the rapidly changing economic, social and political environment in which China and Japan find themselves today. Second, the paper proposes that a Japan with a standard foreign and security policy which takes into account its close economic and social relationships with Northeast Asia, and a China having accomplished its opening up and reform project would likely be in a position to find common ground on how to tackle future questions of bilateral and regional concern. Third, it is argued that multilateral cooperation is a necessary framework to support the current transformation process by addressing the numerous transnational challenges to East Asian societies and reducing strategic uncertainties created by the rapidly changing East Asian environment.

Index

INTRODUCTION
DIFFERENT METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES, DIFFERENT FUTURE PROSPECTS
JAPANESE AND CHINESE EAST ASIAN IDENTITIES
CONCLUSION